India Likely to Play Asia Cup 2025 Without a Jersey Sponsor After Dream11 Exit

The Indian cricket team is facing an unusual and highly visible dilemma as they gear up for the Asia Cup 2025: they are likely to take the field without a lead jersey sponsor for the first time in years. The situation follows Dream11’s abrupt exit as Team India’s principal sponsor in the aftermath of the new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, leaving the BCCI scrambling to secure a replacement.

Why Dream11 Pulled Out

Dream11 became India’s official jersey sponsor in July 2023, signing a three-year deal worth ₹358 crore after previous sponsor Byju’s departed. Dream11 also had a strong presence in the IPL, having been a lead league sponsor and supporting several franchises.

However, with the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025—banning money-based online gaming and advertising—Dream11 suspended all paid fantasy gaming in compliance with Indian law. This development rendered their continued association with the Indian cricket team impossible.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed,
"Our association with Dream11 has ended. Discussions for a new lead sponsor are ongoing, but under the new legislation, it will be very difficult to continue with Dream11 or any similar company."

What Now for Team India and the BCCI?

No Jersey Sponsor for Asia Cup 2025

With the Asia Cup starting September 9, BCCI has been unable to finalize a new deal in time. An emergency meeting chaired by interim BCCI president Rajeev Shukla discussed the issue at length, but no timeline was set for onboarding a new partner. As things stand, Team India will wear jerseys with just the BCCI emblem—no lead sponsor’s name displayed—for the Asia Cup.

• Why the Delay? The process of finding a reputable, non-gaming sponsor willing to commit before the 2027 ODI World Cup is time-consuming. Branding, legal vetting, and commercial negotiations add to the timeline.

• No Penalty for Dream11 The existing BCCI-Dream11 contract included a safeguard for cases where the core business of the sponsor becomes illegal due to changes in government policy.

Context and Financial Impact

Dream11’s exit is a major commercial blow for BCCI, not only affecting the senior men’s cricket team but also impacting IPL branding and other sponsorship avenues formerly dominated by fantasy gaming platforms.

Dream11’s deal was valued at ₹358 crore over three years, and IPL franchises have also benefited from fantasy gaming’s commercial push. With this withdrawal, the BCCI must now seek new revenue streams—likely from tech, financial, or FMCG brands willing to step in at short notice.

What the Asia Cup 2025 Will Look Like

• Team India’s jersey will showcase only the "India", a rarity in the modern era of commercialized cricket.

• The BCCI’s search for a new sponsor will continue, aiming for a new deal before the high-profile bilateral home season and T20 World Cup build-up later in the year.